Cord Blood Case Study

These cells come from fetuses which is why stem cells are such a controversial issue. In order to actually use embryonic cells, they must be harvested from an unborn baby that is in the early stages of life. Embryonic cells have the ability to be all 220 types of tissues in the human body. “This makes them ideal for regenerating diseased heart tissue, repairing spinal cords, and replenishing brain cells”, Elizabeth Svoboda, an author in the publicized Popular Science magazine, illustrates in her article about stem cells (60). Embryonic cells have limitless possibilities in medical advancement. These cells can become whatever type of cell a doctor program them to be. With the use of embryonic stem cells, doctors can cure several diseases, as well as curing people who have suffered injuries, but research is being slowed down by the ethical dilemma of aborting a

Over the last several decades, the field of medical technology and research has become increasingly advanced. Just read up on any of the most recent innovations; what may have once been considered science fiction is rapidly becoming reality. Some of the most publicized scientific discoveries are related to stem cells, as the controversial research and use of certain types of these cells is continuously being debated among politicians, scientists, and religious leaders. However, it is believed that a specific type of stem cell, an umbilical cord blood stem cell, may be used to treat a number of diseases, disorders, or injuries devoid of ethical controversy. Banks for storing cord blood exist in countries all over the world and its use is

Some blood disorders can be prevented while there are others that are out of a person’s hands and have to live with a blood disorder for a life time. It is essential to know the causes of hereditary disease and know how to treat them. It is also important to know what can be done to “cure” other blood disorders and what preventive measures need to be taken in order to stop history from repeating itself. Iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, and purpura simplex are just a few blood disorders that people suffer from that are either inherited or can be prevented.

A limited amount of stem cells can be extracted from after birth, but these few cells can mean a longer or improved life for someone (Bergman). In addition, people believe that harvesting cord blood cells steals the cells from the child. The umbilical cord is cut and clamped just like a typical delivery (CariCord). Delayed clamping, in which the cord is left attached to drain the blood back into the baby, still allows the afterbirth to be donated. The science behind cord blood banking is still developing because these treatments have only been performed for a little over ten years and the only way to overcome that is to move forward with research (Stem Cell). Cord blood cells hold the potential of becoming brain and heart cells and combatting serious neurological diseases. The science is young, but one out of every three hundred kids are plagued with cerebral palsy and one of every sixty-eight children battle autism (What It Is). The chance of helping people throughout the world live a better life fuels the need for an increase of support in this budding

When making any decision regarding a child’s future, any parent would (presumably) opt for a choice that increases the child's chances for health and well being. In recent years parents have been offered the option to save umbilical cord blood. This procedure has become known as cord blood banking. Cord blood banking has been discovered to offer many ways to help ensure not only the child’s health, but in some cases, other members of the family as well. Cord blood banking offers a plethora of health benefits that can save a child and their family from suffering the devastating effects of many diseases. Cord blood could, in many cases, essentially save your child's life.

For infants who have not yet started showing symptoms, treatment with umbilical cord blood stem cells has shown promise in enabling normal or near normal lives. The method can take place within weeks of birth. Neural deterioration is slowed down following the procedure and symptoms are less harsh. Kids and babies who have already started showing symptoms of the disease don’t profit from the treatment. Some people with late onset Krabbe disease benefit from treatment with umbilical cord stem cells even though it has a higher success rate on kids. Bone marrow stem cells can be used in place on umbilical cord blood stem cells, however they require the donor to be a perfect match. There is also less risk of immune system complications. For kids that have started showing symptoms and others not suitable for the procedure. the only treatment is to address symptoms as they

country are now recommending collecting the cord blood. "There's only two things that (you can) potentially buy your new baby that are lifesaving: One is a good car seat and the other is cord blood." Dr. Marra Francis, Ob/Gyn, CBR medical consultant gives his medical and personal opinion of collecting cord blood.

If the person had a mild case of Hemophilia A, they can be injected with the hormone desmopressin, which gives the body more clotting factors to stop the bleeding. A person with a severe case of Hemophilia A or B may have to be injected with a donation of human blood to prevent the bleeding from continuing. Hemophilia C can be treated with a factor that is only found in Europe, however, plasma infusions are used to stop bleeding in the United States. If treatments fail to proceed in positive effects there are ongoing treatments to provide extra help. Physical therapy, vaccinations, and antifibrinolytics are treatments that can reduce hemophilia symptoms. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining healthy dental hygiene can help avoid excessive bleeding. If a family member has this disorder it is a good idea to see a counselor and to let people know in case of an emergency. Hemophilia is a blood disorder that doesn't effect the way a human lives if they choose to treat it correctly.

The second type of stem cell in use is the Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells. These stem cells come from the umbilical cord of a newborn which generally would get discarded. Otherwise, these cords are frozen and stored in a private blood bank, in case the stem cells should ever be needed by the donor or their family (“Umbilical Cord Blood”, par. 23). The processes to save these cells is; something like this, the parents pay a onetime fee and they receive a package for sending the cord in after delivery, after the initial process the family pays an annual storage fee to continue to

An article entitled, "The Gift of Life" in Fit Pregnancy Magazine summarized the potential effectiveness, storage eligibility, banking, and blood collection the umbilical cord. The importance of collecting the blood from the umbilical cord lies in the presence of stem cells. Transplanting these cells allows for the regeneration of bone marrow enabling the body to combat diseases such as Lymphoma and Sickle Cell Anemia. In addition to other cancers, blood and immune disorders. The life-saving potential of the stem cells in a child's cord blood can be stored through public or private banking.

I understand that there is a risk of bacterial and/or fungal contamination when collecting Cord Blood. The contaminating bacteria and/or fungus is usually a naturally occurring contaminant of the birthing canal. Celligenics

Cord cell banking is the process of collecting and storing your baby’s umbilical cord stem cells for potential medical use. Umbilical cord has two components, the cord blood and the cord tissue. Cord blood banking involves collecting blood left in your newborn's umbilical cord and placenta, which contains potentially lifesaving cells called hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Cord tissue banking involves collecting the clamped cord tissues, after the cord blood has been drawn out from it. Umbilical cord tissue is an abundant source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which pose a critical role in the treatment of diseases, for their regenerative properties in cartilage, muscle, and nerve cells.

Cord blood refers to the blood that remains in the blood vessels of the placenta along with the umbilical cord that it is attached to. Also known as placental blood or umbilical cord blood, cord blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. It is also rich in blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cells. These are similar to the ones found in bone marrow. Due to its similarity with bone marrow, cord blood may be used for transplantation. Storing this blood can potentially be used as a form of treatment for a child, should they become ill. The reason for this is because, stem cells present in the blood can become any human cell. By storing this blood, it not only helps the individual from whom the extra blood came from

Occasionally a baby is born with this disorder and no family history of it. When this happens, it could be caused by a hidden gene, which is when several generations of female carry it, and it has not affected any male members of the family or a spontaneous mutation. With each pregnancy, a woman who is a carrier has a 25% possibility of having a son born with hemophilia. Since the father's X chromosome is what determines if the unborn child will be a girl, all of the daughters born of a man with hemophilia will be carriers. None of his sons, which is determined by the father through his Y chromosome, will have hemophilia. Individuals who suffer from mild hemophilia may choose to use a non-blood product known as Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) to help treat the small bleeds and/or scrapes. For deep cuts or internal bleeding, the treatment called DDAVP may not be enough and therefore, may need a much more complex treatment. The clotting factor must be replenished so the affected person can form a clot to stop the bleeding. Plasma is one of the ‘human blood products’ than is used for factor replacement. Another factor replacement option is using the recombinant factor, which is produced in a laboratory.

Previous methods for obtaining UC-MSC involved extracting the cells from the single vein found on the umbilical cord. This method was met with 30% success with this group. A new method involving the use of the whole cord was created and attempted. This method was then compared to the traditional practice to isolate MSC, through bone marrow aspiration. The research group did this by dicing the cord into 1-2 mm fragments and enzymatically digesting said fragments in collagenase and trypsin. The cell suspension was then filtered and cultured in cell culture flasks. Cultures were split when concentrations increased and were replated at a lower concentration. Bone marrow aspirate from healthy, willing